Calif. Leaders Working On Urgency Bill To Combat Drought

California Governor Jerry Brown and legislative leaders are preparing an urgency measure that would authorize more than half a billion dollars in short-term anti-drought actions. They met Thursday at the state Capitol to discuss the legislation.

According to Senate President pro Tem Darrell Steinberg's office, the $588 million proposal would fund shovel-ready water projects, clear away some regulations and help water agencies use existing supplies more efficiently. More specifically, it would increase the use of clean recycled water, encourage conservation programs and expand the use of captured storm-water

About $470 million would come from Proposition 84 bond funds currently in the governor's January budget proposal; the bill would speed up the use of that money, rather than waiting for the budget to become law in July. The rest of the money would come from Prop 1E bond funds, cap-and-trade revenues and the state's general fund.

The urgency legislation could be unveiled within days – with the goal of enacting it into law in the next few weeks.

In the meantime, Brown had some advice for Californians as he met with water managers in Los Angeles Thursday:

"Don’t flush more than you have to, don’t shower longer than you need to, and turn the water off when you’re shaving or brushing your teeth."

What little bit of rain California received in December and February was just enough to help reservoir storage. The Department of Water Resources announced it will increase water deliveries through the State Water Project.

The US Bureau of Reclamation says most farmers south of the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta will face a second year with no water from the Central Valley Project. Some farmers and cities may receive more.

It would not be an odd sight in the spring. But there is something depressing about a closed ski slope in the middle of winter. The trails are bare and grassy. The chairlifts just hang there, waving a little with the breeze.